Staple gun

ABSTRACT

An improved device for inserting fasteners into a generally flat workpiece where the fasteners are inserted at an angle of less than 90* into the workpiece, having a generally planar member attached to the body of a fastener ejector, e.g., a staple gun, which generally planar member extends above the housing of the stapler and is hingedly connected thereto, the angle at which the generally planar member is to the stapler housing being variable by a means to regulate the inclination of the planar member. There is provided means to maintain the generally planar member at an angle to the staple gun during a stapling operation.

United States Patent [191 Moeller Dec.9, 1975 STAPLE GUN [76] Inventor:Wolfgang W. Moeller, 4 Glen Cove Drive, Glen Head, NY. 11545 22 Filed:July 12,1974

21 Appl. No.: 488,136

[52] US. Cl. 227/148 [51] Int. Cl. B25C 7/00 [58] Field of Search227/147, 148

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,994,878 8/1961 Abrahamsen227/147 X 3,007,171 ll/l96l Critchley 227/147 X PrimaryExaminer-Granville Y. Custer, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Burgess,Dinklage & Sprung ABSTRACT An improved device for inserting fastenersinto a generally flat workpiece where the fasteners are inserted at anangle of less than 90 int-o the workpiece, having a generally planarmember attached to the body of a fastener ejector, e.g., a staple gun,which generally planar member extends above the housing of the staplerand is hingedly connected thereto, the angle at which the generallyplanar member is to the stapler housing being variable by a means toregulate the inclination of the planar member. There is provided meansto maintain the generally planar member at an angle to the staple gunduring a stapling operation.

4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 9, 1975 STAPLE GUNBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This inventionrelates to a fastening means such as a stapler. More particularly, thisinvention relates to a stapler or nailer which is adapted to be employedin those instances where the staples or nails are to enter a workpieceat an angle. More especially, this invention relates to a stapleremployed in the repair of ceiling tiles especially those of the typeemployed in suspended ceilings.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art Numerous fastening means are known. It isknown, for instance, to use staple guns which propel staples of variousconfigurations from a cartridge containing the same into a workpiece.Generally speaking, the stapler has a generally flat staple housingwhich is drawn into abutment with the work surface. Actuation of thetrigger mechanism in the stapler propels the staples at an angle of 90into the workpiece.

However, in many instances it is desired to introduce the staples at anangle. One such instance occurs in the repair of ceiling tiles of thetype employed in suspended ceilings. Here a repaired tile is placed intoposition and staples are injected through the repair tile into theadjoining tile by a toe-type nailing. Oftentimes numerous tiles areplaced into position during the repair of a suspended ceiling. In suchinstance it is desirable to have a fastening means which constantlyguides the staples into position so that they enter the workpiece at anangle. While staple guns of the type mentioned above can be used forthis purpose a steady hand is required to in- I sure that the stapleenters the workpiece at the precise angle. Additionally when manystaples are being injected into the workpiece it is often found thatthere is a great variation in the angle in which the staple enters theworkpiece. This can cause additional problems should it be required toremove the newly set suspended ceiling tile. Problems can beencountered, additionally, if the angle is so large that the staple orother fastening means is caused to abut against the metal frame memberson which the ceiling tile is connected.

It has, therefore, become desirable to provide a fastening gun whereinthe fastening means injected into the workpiece by use of such a gun isinjected always at an angle into the workpiece. More particularly, ithas become desirable to provide a staple gun in which the angle at whichthe staple enters the workpiece is the same for every actuation of thestaple gun. Still more especially it has become desirable to provide astaple gun wherein the angle at which the staple enters the workpiececan be varied to a fixed predetermined degree.

SUMMARY OFTHE INVENTION Objects of the invention are provided employinga device for ejecting a fastening means, e.g., a staple, from a housingand propelling it into a flat workpiece. The improvement of the presentinvention resides'in the disposition of a generally planar member on atop surface of a fastening means ejector, e.g., a staple gun, in such amanner that the angle at which the generally planar member runs withrespect to the surface of the fastening means ejector is regulatable.The generally planar member is pivotally or hingedly connected-to theend the fastening means ejector at the orifice where the fastening meansis ejected. At the opposed end, it is height-regulatable by meanssuitably fastened to an edge of the fastening means ejector. By such anassembly, the generally planar member can be inclined at any angle ofless than to the upper surface of the fastening means ejector. When suchoccurs, and the upper surface of the planar member is flush against aflat workpiece disposed thereabove, the fastening means will be injectedinto the workpiece at an angle of less than 90.

It will be realized that the improvement of the present invention isincluded in a standard fastening means ejector, e.g., staple gun ornailer, especially one which is of the hand-held variety including, ahandle or palm member and a finger grip whereby the fastening means isejected by compression of the fingenactuated means toward the stationarypalm member, all of which will appear from the detailed disclosurebelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention can be more readilyunderstood and appreciated when reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. I is a side elevation partially in section showing a few of theimproved fastening apparatus of the invention in the form of a staplegun;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the lines 22 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a side elevation showing the use of the staple gun of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS A specific embodiment of theinvention is shown in FIG. 1. The apparatus comprises a magazine 2 forfastening means 4 in the form of staples. The staples can be the type ofstaples generally employed in staple guns where they are in a generallyU-shape with each end of the U having a somewhat sharpened surface topermit entry of the staple. The staples 4 in the magazine 2 therefor areurged toward the orifice 6 by a spring means 8 especially one in theform of a coiled spring. Disposed in a generally perpendiculararrangement to the orifice 6 and to the magazine 2 is a staple driver 10housed in a staple driver housing in the form of a driver guide track12. Staple driver 10 is in the form of a moveable rod terminating in alip 14 which engages the flat portion 16 of a staple when it is inalignment with the guide track 12. v i

In FIG. 1 there is shown a hand-held stapler comprising a handle 18which is stationary and intregal with the housing. A hand grip 20yieldably connected to the handle 18 is employed. A spring 22 disposedabout a pin 24 is utilized to provide a springing action to return handgrip 20 to its original position after use. The device can also beprovided with an index finger grip 26. The hand grip 20 terminates in agenerally arcuate rack 28 that engages a gear 30 which is station arilydisposed on a toothed wheel 32 of larger diameter. Gear 32 engages afacing gear 34 of substantially smaller diameter which in turn isjournaled for rotation with spur gear 36 about a common axis 37 in thesame manner in which wheel 30 and wheel 32 are journaled about axis 33.

Gear 36 engages a rack 38 which is integral with staple driver 10.

Operation of the staple gun is relatively simple. By gripping buttmember 18 with the palm of the hand and hand grip 20with the fingers andby pulling the hand member towards the butt, the rack 28 is caused torotate thereby moving gear 30. Gear 30 moves gear 32 which in turn, byengagement with gear 34, causes rotation of gear 34. Gear 34 which isstationary with gear 36 causes gear 36 to move which in turn effectsmovement of the toothed rack 38 so that it moves rapidly and with greatforce towards the orifice 6. The staple 4 passes out of orifice 6 byvirtue of engagement of the fiat portion 16. This propels the staple outof the orifice and into the workpiece. When the hand grip is releasedthe gears move in the opposite direction permitting the toothed rod 38to return to the position shown in FIG. 1. The arrows on the drawingshow the movement of the various parts upon actuation of the staple gun.

According tothe invention there is provided a generally flat planarmember 50 which overlies and is hingedly connected to the staple driverhousing by hinge 104 and, indeed, generally overlies a major portion ofthe stapling gun. Planar member 50 can have attached thereto a rubberplanar surface 52 for it is intended that this surface engage the flatworkpiece. The surface 52 should therefore be compatible with thesurface of the flat workpiece to be engaged. The planar member 50 has avertical lip member 54 which overlies and is contiguous to a verticalslide of the stapler such that when the vertical lift 54 abuts the topsurface 90 of the stapler, it runs generally parallel to the driverguide track 12.

Referring to FIG. 2 the generally vertical lip member 54 has a U-shapedcutout 56 through which a screw 58 (as seen in FIG. 1) passes. A portionof the shaft of the screw 60 (FIG. 1) passes through the U-shaped cutoutportion 56. The screw has a head 62 which overlies the cutout portion sothat upon turning the screw the head 62 will bear against the surface ofthe member 54 and fix the generally planar member 50 rigidly to the bodyof the staple gun. Obviously, the inclination that the planar member 50has to the body of the staple gun can be varied by loosening the head 62and raising or lowering the member 54 so that the desired angle at whichthe member 50 takes is obtained. When that angle is obtained the head 62of the screw 58 is turned clockwise until it bears against the face ofportion 54.

According to one embodiment of the invention a terminal edge of theplanar member 50 overlies the orifice 6 at 70. The terminal portion ofthe planar member 50 which overlies the orifice is designated in FIG. 1by reference numeral 72. This helps to further define the path that thestaple will travel and to insure that it enters the workpiece at theprecise angle desired. To further assist in the insurance that thestaple enters the workpiece at the desired angle the apparatus can beprovided with a generally triangular nose member 74 having a generallyflat member upper surface 76 which is in general alignment with thelower marginal edge of the orifice 6. The surface 76 is in generalfacing relationship with the marginal overlying portion 72 so as todefine a restricted path through which the staple will be propelled.

Operation of the device is relatively simple. Referring to FIG. 2 theprecise angle of inclination at which the planar member 50 is to havewith respect to the staple driver 10, the staple 4 and the orifice 6 isset as described. In FIG. 2 a generally overlying bracket means in theform of facing U-shaped tracks 80 in which the vertical lip member 54sits is employed to insure that the vertical lip 54 is not inadvertentlymoved during a stapling operation. Once the head 62 of the screw 58 4abuts the vertical lip 54, the angle a as shown in FIG. 1 is determined.This angle a is less than Referring to FIG. 3 when upper surface 52 ofplanar member 50 abuts the generally flat workpiece 82 the angle atwhich the staple will enter the workpiece is also less than 90.Actuation of the hand member 20 will drive the staple through theorifice and through the constricted path defined by members 72 and 74whereupon the staple will enter the workpiece as shown at an angle ofless than 90 with respect to the surface thereof. In FIG. 3 there isshown the staple joining by a toe-type nailing operation a removableceiling tile 84 t0 a stationary ceiling tile 86.

Obviously, the present invention is capable of a number ofmodifications. Numerous different means to regulate angle a by rasing orlowering the planar member 5 and securing it to the stapler can beprovided. The precise means which holds the planar member 50stationarily fixed to the body of the stapler during a staplingoperation is not particularly critical. It is desired, however, that ameans be provided whereby the angle oz can be changed so that thestapler can be used in a number of different operations where therequired angle may vary. Functionally, it is important that there bethis height regulatable member disposed at a level above the staplerwhereby to insure that the angle at which the staple enters theworkpiece is less than 90. In such an instance, the tool is useful ininserting fastening means into a surface running parallel to a ceiling.Additionally, the surface of the magazine 2 can be placed in abutment toa ceiling in which event the fastening means, e.g., staple, will enterthe ceiling perpendicularly. In such instance the facing surfaces 76 and72 further assist in guiding the staple into the workpiece.

Other advantages of the invention will be apparent to one of skill inthe art.

What is claimed is:

l. A hand held and actuated apparatus for propelling a fastening meansinto a generally flat workpiece which comprises a stationary palm memberand a springbiased finger grip, said finger grip connected to an arcuaterack, said arcuate rack connected through a geared transmission to alongitudinally running staple driver having a lip, said staple driverbeing received in a guide track in a staple driver housing, saidapparatus having a magazine having an exit in alignment with said lip ofsaid staple driver, means within said magazine for feeding fasteningmeans into said guide track in alignment with said lip, said stapledriver housing having pivotally connected thereto proximite the end ofsaid guide track a generally planar member which extends generally oversaid staple driver housing and is height regulatably fastened thereto,said planar member inclined at an angle of less than 90 to said stapledriver housing, such that when the upper surface of said planar memberis flush against a generally flat workpiece, said staple driver housingand said staple driver are inclined to said workpiece at an angle ofless than 90 whereby actuation of said finger grip when said planarmember abuts a workpiece causes said staple driver to move forward intoengagement with said fastening means in said guide track and to urgesaid fastening means into said workpiece at an angle of less than 90.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 said planar member extending beyondthe end of said guide track in said staple driver housing.

6 form of a depending lip member extending over a rearward edge of saidstaple driver housing, said lip member having a U-shaped cut-out, ascrew member engaged within said staple driver housing passing throughsaid U-shaped cut-out, said screw having a head overlying said lipmember.

1. A hand held and actuated apparatus for propelling a fastening meansinto a generally flat workpiece which comprises a stationary palm memberand a spring-biased finger grip, said finger grip connected to anarcuate rack, said arcuate rack connected through a geared transmissionto a longitudinally running staple driver having a lip, said stapledriver being received in a guide track in a staple driver housing, saidapparatus having a magazine having an exit in alignment with said lip ofsaid staple driver, means within said magazine for feeding fasteningmeans into said guide track in alignment with said lip, said stapledriver housing having pivotally connected thereto proximite the end ofsaid guide track a generally planar member which extends generally oversaid staple driver housing and is height regulatably fastened thereto,said planar member inclined at an angle of less than 90* to said stapledriver housing, such that when the upper surface of said planar memberis flush against a generally flat workpiece, said staple driver housingand said staple driver are inclined to said workpiece at an angle ofless than 90* whereby actuation of said finger grip when said planarmember abuts a workpiece causes said staple driver to move forward intoengagement with said fastening means in said guide track and to urgesaid fastening means into said workpiece at an angle of less than 90*.2. An apparatus according to claim 1 said planar member extending beyondthe end of said guide track in said staple driver housing.
 3. Anapparatus according to claim 2 wherein a nose member having a generallyflat upper surface is affixed to the undersurface of said magazine, saidflat upper surface being in alignment with the end of said guide track.4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said planar member has anattaching means thereon in the form of a depending lip member extendingover a rearward edge of said staple driver housing, said lip memberhaving a U-shaped cut-out, a screw member engaged within said stapledriver housing passing through said U-shaped cut-out, said screw havinga head overlying said lip member.